New York Blood Center (NYBC), serving New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and New Jersey, calls upon people of diverse backgrounds to please donate blood. The need for blood is constant. Hospital use of blood products remains high due to surgeries, emergencies, and care of cancer patients, and about one in seven people entering a hospital needs blood.
February is National Black History Month. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 3.5 million African-Americans living in New York and 1.3 million African-Americans living in New Jersey. Currently, NYBC donors are 71.5% White, 10% Hispanic/Latino, 6.6% Black/African American, and 4.7% Asian/Pacific Islander. Unfortunately, this does not mirror the diversity of our patient population.
Davina Daniels is one of many people who rely on regular blood transfusions of precisely matched blood from African-Americans to treat sickle cell disease. "Thank you for giving me another day to live my life, to be able to dream and have a chance to reach my goals while living those dreams," Davina said. "Most of all, I'm thankful for another day to be a loving mother to my son, a daughter to my parents, a sister, and a friend."
NYBC takes very seriously its responsibility to provide a safe, adequate, and reliable blood supply for the 20 million people in our service area. As individuals, we have always depended on having an adequate blood supply available when we need it, and it is imperative that we have an ample blood supply which closely reflects the diversity of our communities. Please donate blood today.
By donating blood during the month of February, organizations and individuals can help us maintain our community blood supply throughout the winter season.
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